An Auspicious Start - Match 4 (Jo)

[Issac Haxton]

        Issac had seen the signs coming. All the construction work, the tension in the Prefect operations, the unnatural silence imposed on everyone all lead to something big. It's as if the school new when life was going to be thrown for a loop without an official statement. Not wanting to take a chance on what was going to happen, he decided he'd look into things before-hand. Sometimes, it paid having old friends and acquaintances in the black ops area of expertise. Sometimes, it paid having the know-how to contact them, even from a disclosed, private island with nearly no contact channels to the outside.

        But what really pays off is using all that to learn the source of the trouble: A tournament hosted by the Ashford Project "guaranteeing" release from the island. Issac knew better than to believe that, but this tournament was still disconcerting. Nothing was ever as it appeared when the government wanted to do something. Sure, more than likely, they were auctioning off students to some prospective buyers. They needed to get their funding for this place, somehow, and they did little to hide that possibility, but he still needed to investigate the situation. So another string pulled here and there, and voila; Bracket 1 was filled up by one final contestant: Him.

        The rest of the his time was spent practicing to keep in shape and/or waiting around in the cell blocks for the match. Then the "day of" came. Issac was determined to find out the truth of this situation, and if that meant fighting his way to the top, so be it. Stepping into the constructed ring was more tensing than it should have been, as crowds of people lined the outside. There were a few students among them, sure, but they were all contestants. No, the majority of the crowd were people he'd never seen on the island. So, that's one piece of the puzzle verified he thought. It was nice knowing his prediction came out true, from appearances. It meant he could concentrate on the match with his opponent.

        It didn't take much longer afterwards that the other boy was lead in, apparently a long-time student here. Not much was known about the boy, but he certainly wasn't one to shy from being noticed. That didn't matter, though. What mattered was getting this fight started. He called out, rather forcefully, as well, to make sure the boy knew he meant business. "You don't technically have to fight, you know... You can always throw in the towel now, save yourself the trouble. But...." At that word, his feet spread and fists clenched, eyes narrowing to the boy. If you aren't going to do that, then get yourself in gear, already!

[Jo Keur]

Jo sat in the grass behind the make-shift bleachers as he awaited his turn in the ring. A thin joint clasped between his lips as he listened to the sound of fighting. Fools, all of them. He had long since figured out the governments game, not that it stopped him from playing it. He would far rather play than be played. He took a deep breath of the smoke before tossing the joint and getting to his feet. Silently hoping it's still-burning ember might just set the island aflame.

The sounds of combat had faded and as the crowd cheered he moved around the side and took his place to await his fight. His eyes flickering to the bleachers and crowd with barely hidden disgust. Leave it to humans to enjoy watching two of their own beat the shit out of each other. Tch. As the gate opened he spit to the side and shoved his hands into his pockets. Entering the ring with the appearance and stride of someone who simply gave no fucks.

He had been here to long maybe. After seeing all he had you'd lose interest in the trivial plays of the government too. Hell, the only reason he even bothered with this tournament was the slim chance for some information on Johnny. If he had any luck maybe the end of this path led to were Johnny had been led. Dead or alive he'd find out the truth.

Cocky words brought Jo's attention to his opponent. Spunky little pup he was. A dim flash of anger clawed at his chest before he shook it off. His eyes suddenly becoming emotionless as if in a trace as he leaned forward, shooting towards Issac without a word his shin striking out for the kid's knee.
As Jo moved, something came sweeping low into the ring behind Issac. A katana arching through the air like a bullet headed for the kid's shoulder in time with Jo's attack.

[Issac Haxton]

        It didn't take long before things started up. The boy ahead of him wasn't very talkative, and to be fair, neither was he. Only reason he decided to speak up in the beginning was to egg the boy on. An emotional opponent was one that was easier to fight. Still, Jo did start off the match rather abruptly, rushing swiftly towards Issac. Looks like he's getting things started. Fine then. He kept his eyes glued to the boy, waiting until he was starting to swing to launch clean over the boy. Still to this day, Issac will never take for granted his powers, regardless of the fact they landed him where he is now. The kick would certainly miss, but the surprise sword did catch him off guard, slicing past him just barely and leaving a decent cut on Issac's side. Tch.... guess you get first blood.

        Issac took the blow as a sign of good fortune. Sure, he was the first to be injured, but the injury was minor or superficial. And with it came the knowledge that the boy had control over swords. Or, at least, one sword. He'd need to be careful in case more of them started flying in. Still, Issac saw a perfect opportunity to try and pin the boy down. His hands swing downwards to the boy, the light trailing through his fingers until it shimmered and seemed to come to life. Just as suddenly, the now physically forming light flies downward to the boy, whistling through the air as it starts to entwine together as a net. At the same moment, he also formed a panel of the same solid light to launch off of, pushing him to the other side of the arena. While he landed slightly rough, he rolled to his feet from the landing and spun quickly to face the boy, now flashing the light around his fists into his gauntlets. No way was he going to make this easy.

[Jo Keur]

Jo used the momentum of the missed kick to swing himself around and back into a sure-footed stance. Not a single movement wasted. He watched calmly as the sword merely nicked the boy before it returned faithfully to his side, his hand reaching up to grab hold of it's hilt. It may have seemed to others that he was breaking the rules by having a weapon. But this was no mere weapon. That much would become clear sooner or later.

As the boy formed a net of light Jo rushed forward as if running straight into the net. At the last second Jo spun his body to the side, slashing his sword outward as he landed and shot forward once more. At the sword's slash a blurred arch shot out from the blade and slammed into the net. Giving Jo just enough time to slide under it's edge and go straight for the boy again. His expression remaining utterly blank and focused.

As he neared his opponent Jo suddenly ducked to the side low to the ground, Sliding his foot forward as he used his momentum to pivot himself on his heel around Issac. His sword flashing as he slashed upwards at Issac's back in one smooth movement. His years of learning and practicing the sword evident in the way he moved.

[Issac Haxton]

        At all times, Issac kept his eyes on his opponent, making sure to note what he could of the boy. The wave attack Jo launched was unusual, but not something foreign to Issac. Still, Razor Wind was something to be cautious about. That kind of long-range potential was something to be concerned about, meaning he needed to stay in close with the boy. Thankfully, that was easily facilitated by the boy's reaction as he rushed up again. Not wasting a second, he shifted his weight to his front foot and swung out with the other, the light in the air catching on it as it rushed around before a shimmering boot formed on it, The swinging, kick-like motion wasn't aimed at the boy. Instead, as it trailed around, a curtain of light shined up out of thin air, the newly formed wall taking the blow for him.

        It was time to go offensive, and Issac did just that. In an instant, the wall seemingly shattered from the blow of Jo's sword. Instead, though, the light began to coalesce into the form of several shining blades, now spinning rapidly in place. Issac then began to throw his fists out as if punching, the blades starting to shoot towards Jo in a storm-like flurry. As the last few flew out, they missed him by a good amount, instead flying past and around to strike from behind while Issac flashes forward. In one blink, he seemed to go from where he stood to right in front of Jo, aiming a couple super-fast punches towards Jo's shoulders specifically. He wanted to cripple the boy's ability to fight back. Whether or not his blows landed, he made sure to dash backwards afterwards so that the blades wouldn't hit him if they missed. Again, he set himself into his ready stance, the last boot forming on his other foot as he landed.

[Jo Keur]

Jo's gaze remained locked on the boy, seeming to completely disregard the blades of light as they shot past him a good distance away. As the boy disappeared for an instant Jo instinctively dropped low on one knee and Lifted his katana broad-side out in front of him, his free hand resting against it's side to hold it fast to the attack that was sure to come. As the boy reappeared a second later Jo felt the strikes slam into his sword, angling it slightly to use momentum to his gain and reduce some of the attack's force.

He leaned back with the rest of the force and let it push him, kicking the ground hard with his free foot to further throw himself. Arching his back he threw his free hand behind him and completed a flip, his hand planted firmly on the ground as he spun himself out of the trajectory of the light swords from before. Almost. The last sword to shoot by caught him in the right shoulder mid-flip. The fabric staining red as he landed on his feet and faced Issac once more.

He could feel a dull pain at his temples but gave it no mind, nor the pain at his shoulder. However he did know it made that arm useless to wield the sword. No matter. He leaned into an attack position and tossed his sword into his left hand. What was this compared to his raising? His uncle had been far more ruthless than this boy. Though that light could very well become a problem..

Jo suddenly shot to the right keeping the distance between him and the boy. The swords blade sweeping through the air as he launched first one and then more of the Razor wind. Their whistling filling the arena as they shot haphazardly around the arena in chaotic flashing movement. Jo himself having to duck several as he ran around Issac in a large circle. Waiting for a moment of weakness in the boy as he shot more and more into the air, leading the arena swiftly into a mayhem of noise and motion.

[Issac Haxton]

        Issac could give this guy one thing if nothing else, and that was he was fast. It was rare for someone to keep up with Issac's speed, which meant he needed to step up his game, so to speak. Still, having gotten one shot in helped his odds tremendously, and he planned to take advantage of it. In the instant that Jo took off and began his assault, Issac fished up the two blades that missed and dashed about madly as well. He never stayed in one place long, and he made sure Jo wasn't going to get a good bead on his position, always dashing to a random location to prevent being picked off. Even so, he couldn't completely avoid the razor wind, meaning he had to act. Using the blades of light, he swiped and deflected as many as he could. Even as fast as he was moving, he still managed to get cut up a bit, his torso getting torn up by the shards of razor wind he couldn't stop.

        That didn't matter, though, because Issac was able to prolong the fight long enough to see an opening. Knowing his opponent was taking a predictable path, he used that to form an initial attack, as he tossed the two blades to Jo, aiming for his legs. That wasn't aimed to hit, though, for Issac planned something far more debilitating, for, as the blades crash into the ground, they would erupt into a field of chains, at least 6 from each blade, all aiming to snare Jo in place. At the same time, light was shaped into his hands in the form of a glowing bow, from which he knocked and let loose what was a single arrow before, just 10 feet from wherever Jo was, he forced it to scatter in the style of a shotgun's buckshot, spraying a veritable field of light arrows at the boy. This was, by no means, a death sentence, but Issac was making sure the boy knew there was going to be one victor.

        And that victor was Issac.

[Jo Keur]

Jo knew something was up the moment he saw the sword's trajectory, however his instincts had too little of information to make him move in time as the chains erupted. He kicked to the side suddenly in an attempt to dodge but felt them dig into his right leg, stopping him with a jolt and forcing him to land on his free leg in a crouch. His ensnared leg stretched out to his side as he leaned away testing the strength of the chains. Not good. He'd have to take a risk.

As the arrows came at him he threw his Katana forward, its blade nicking a few arrows off their course as it sailed through the air. Sweeping low and arching past Issac high above for a moment before darting forward in a flash at the boy. A rumbling roar splitting the air as it flashed side to side masking it's real trajectory. As it neared it suddenly shivered, it's blade splitting down the middle and forming into ghostly jaws with sharp fangs. Multiple blasts of razor wind shrieking from it's mouth before it swooped to the side, it's teeth bared for the boy's leg.

Meanwhile Jo pulled his arms together to cover his chest and face before dropping back onto the ground. Making a harder target due to the angle for the arrows. None the less he felt more than one hit. Two in his forearm, two in his right leg, and one in his side. Which he quickly ripped out before rising onto his free leg again to try and tear his right leg free. His calm mind had faltered before disappearing entirely. Which wasn't all bad. Because now Jo was pissed off in his usual calm and icy 'imma kill you' way.

[Issac Haxton]

        Issac saw his gambit hold true as Jo faltered to a crouch, right in the path of his shrapnel arrow. Throught the blanketing cover of the arrow storm, though, a faint flash of light shone off of Jo's sword as it cast out through the barrage. the blade was fast moving, making it harder to keep a track on. While that wasn't a major issue, what arose from the blade did become one, as the ghostly maw that revealed itself began to fight as well. On the plus side, Issac had a better idea of the sword's nature. On the downside, a part of him was mentally cursing in a variety of languages. He was essentially fighting two people as one, meaning he had to split his attention. That was something he wasn't looking forward to dealing with, given his stamina was beginning to fade.

        This wasn't the first time he'd been in this situation. Hell, his initiation as a Hunter was far more dangerous than this was. Even with the worsened odds, his resolve hadn't faltered. His first instinct, of course, was to prevent getting injured by the ghastly blade's assault, which was his first reaction. He dashed far to his side while, at the same time, pulling all the light from his gauntlets, boots, and even the bow into a barrier just a few feet from him in order to absorb the brunt of the Razor Wind strikes. Even with as much power as he could muster, several blades cut through and tore into him, mostly impacting his arms. However, he made damn sure to keep the chains on Jo intact, as it seemed the boy was unable to fight much without the sword. Still cautious, though, he reinforced the barrier after the salvo of Razor Wind and formed it all around like a dome, waiting for the demon-ghost-sword thing to try and attack directly. If it did, it'd get a nasty surprise as the dome erupts into spikes all over, seeking to impale the creature.

        All the while, Issac maintained his steadfast, cool glare, even as his panting breaths started to show the wear and tear of fatigue building up. If anything irritated him about this fight, it was that he'd have to get his shirt replaced. And it was a really nice shirt, too.

[Jo Keur]

As the dome erupts the sword Suigetsu is knocked away by the spikes turning back into a normal sword, a small nick in it's blade from the attack quickly disappearing as the blade reformed. It hovered on the spot for a moment. Swaying from side to side before suddenly diving to slam into the ground, creating a rumble as the earth trembled violently from it's shock-wave. At the same time a flurry of smaller blasts more like bullets than the arcs from before suddenly shot from the blade as it pulled itself from the ground and swung back into the air. Always moving.
"Little boy looks tired.." A sneering voice rumbled from the blade as it suddenly swooped again, jaws forming once more to try and bite into Issac's shoulder.

A sharp new pain ran up Jo's side but he cared little about it. If anything it only made him angrier as he eyed the chains. Part of him wondered if they could re-attach his leg if he were to cut it off... but that wouldn't make much better of the situation considering he already had injuries. Besides for now it didn't really matter. Though it did annoy him that he didn't have his dagger. What kind of rule allowed no weapons? Like it really mattered on an island full of superpowered freaks. He narrowed his eyes and jumped closer to the chains so he could use his right leg to stand, watching the fight and really wishing he had a dagger to throw at the punk's back...

[Issac Haxton]

        This fight was getting crazy for Issac, and it was getting there fast. Still, though, his success in damaging the sword beast was a great advantage to him. It was also pretty obvious to him the beast would try to counter-attack, given his gambit now left him open, so he immediately started to move. Just as he predicted, the creature did attack, but it was with a blow to the ground to shake him up. He tripped a little through his dash but made sure to react with a tumble. It would look like, at first, he was falling from being tripped up, but the moment he had his hand on the ground, he sprang upwards with his Accelerating dash. This got him off the ground and kept him as a moving target for the few moments he needed.

        Still, ending this now would be the best plan to go for, which meant taking out the boy. a momentary distraction appeared as the sword beast again snarled at him and spoke? It should have occurred to him it was a Soulbound Blade, but he couldn't guarantee anything unti just now. He spins to evade the bite, but still gets a pretty nasty wound on his shoulder. This thing was quick and powerful, and that made it a major threat. Still thinking on his plan, Issac finally smirked for once in the battle. "Maybe so, but so is your companion!!!" His words come out as a small yell as Issac planted his foot on the creature's side and launched himself straight behind Jo at his full speed, flipping in mid-airdash to land on his feet poised. It was pretty straining to do, but this meant Jo would likely have too little time to react to the next, and possibly last, action Issac did: A swift palmstrike to the back of the head. He and Liam tended to go for the same spot many a time before to knock out their targets, and were this any kind of friendly bout, he wouldn't think of doing this at all.

        But Issac couldn't afford to lose this match, and he couldn't afford to play around. "Sweet Dreams......"